My first brush with horror came one quiet afternoon when King Kong aired on cable TV. We had just gotten the cable box, and as I explored the channels, the sight of the massive ape rampaging through the jungle and scaling the Empire State Building immediately captivated me. Too young to grasp its nuances, I felt a mix of awe and fear as the stop-motion effects brought the misunderstood monster to life.
But my view of horror truly transformed with the next film, Dracula, starring Bela Lugosi. His hypnotic stare and chilling delivery drew me into a world of shadowy menace, replacing simple fear with fascination. Unlike the tragic King Kong, Lugosi’s Dracula was an unapologetic force of darkness — commanding and unforgettable.
Years later, I was surprised when I watched the 1922 silent film, Nosferatu, and realized how closely it mirrored the 1931 Dracula. Though Nosferatu disguised its source by renaming characters and changing settings, it was a near copy of Bram Stoker’s novel, leading to a lawsuit by Stoker’s estate. Despite attempts to destroy it, the film survived to become a horror classic, standing alongside Dracula as a testament to Stoker’s enduring story.
Fortunately, we now have a fresh reimagining of this timeless classic.
Robert Eggers, the visionary director behind The Witch and The Lighthouse, has released a remake of Nosferatu, featuring an impressive cast including Bill Skarsgård, Willem Dafoe, Nicholas Hoult and Lily-Rose Depp. Set in 1828 Germany, the story follows Thomas Hutter (Hoult), who is sent to Transylvania to finalize a real-estate deal with the mysterious Count Orlok (Skarsgård). However, Orlok reveals his true nature as a vampire and becomes dangerously obsessed with Ellen Hutter (Depp), Thomas’ wife.
As the vampire’s fixation on Ellen deepens, unspeakable horrors unfold, bringing a fresh intensity to this iconic tale.
Nicholas Hoult stars as Thomas Hutter and Bill Skarsgård as Count Orlok in Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu.
Photo Courtesy: Focus Features / © 2024 FOCUS FEATURES LLC
Rarely do remakes of classic films manage to honor their predecessors, let alone surpass them. Yet, Robert Eggers’ Nosferatu accomplishes both with remarkable finesse, breathing new life into the iconic 1922 silent film. Not only does it meet the expectations of modern audiences, but it elevates the story to new heights, blending Eggers’ meticulous attention to detail with the haunting atmosphere that made the original a masterpiece. Every element of the film feels sharp and polished, capturing the essence of early 19th-century Germany with stunning authenticity.
From the intricate set designs that evoke shadowy castles and cobblestone streets to the richly textured costumes that transport viewers to the 1820s, every frame feels like a carefully crafted painting. The film’s aesthetic doesn’t just recreate the past — it immerses the audience in it, making them feel as though they’re living through the story alongside the characters. The atmospheric lighting, eerie score and seamless blending of practical effects with subtle, modern techniques create an experience that is both haunting and elegant.
Eggers’ Nosferatu is not just a tribute to the original; it’s a bold and sophisticated reinvention that does justice to the legacy of the timeless tale.
Bill Skarsgård brings a haunting vitality to Count Orlok that the original silent film could only hint at. While Max Schreck’s portrayal of the grotesque German vampire in Nosferatu is undeniably iconic — its shadowy silhouette and unsettling movements etched into the collective memory of horror fans — Skarsgård elevates the character to a whole new level. His performance retains the eerie menace that made Orlok so memorable but adds layers of depth and humanity that are chillingly effective.
With his low, rumbling voice, Skarsgård transforms Orlok from a mere terrifying figure into a commanding, almost otherworldly presence. His voice alone is enough to unnerve, carrying an ominous weight that suggests centuries of malice and despair. Combined with subtle, deliberate body language and piercing, predatory stares, Skarsgård’s Orlok becomes more than a monster — he’s a living embodiment of dread.
This nuanced performance allows Orlok to feel both horrifyingly alien and disturbingly real, creating a character that is as fascinating as he is fearsome. Skarsgård’s ability to infuse the role with charisma and terror ensures that his Count Orlok will stand alongside Schreck’s as a definitive portrayal of one of horror’s most enduring icons.
Lily-Rose Depp delivers a stunning performance as Ellen, blending raw emotion and physical intensity to create a portrayal that is both unforgettable and deeply moving. Arguably her best work to date, Depp captures the torment and resilience of a woman ensnared by a supernatural force, bringing depth and vulnerability that resonates with the audience. Willem Dafoe, equally compelling, shines as the newly introduced Professor Albin Eberhart Von Franz. With his signature gravitas and classic dramatic flair, Dafoe elevates the character to a stature rivaling Van Helsing in the Dracula mythos, making him both formidable and captivating.
Together with a meticulously cast ensemble, their performances imbue Nosferatu with unrelenting intensity and emotional weight, ensuring the film never loses its grip. This collective effort transforms the reimagining into a masterful homage to the original, carving out its own enduring place in cinematic history.
Nosferatu is a flawless five-star film, showcasing once again why Robert Eggers is held in such high esteem by horror enthusiasts and cinephiles alike. Eggers masterfully captures the grit and shadowy atmosphere of early 1800s Germany, imagining a world steeped in darkness and plagued by unspeakable evil.
The cast delivers award-worthy performances across the board, from Bill Skarsgård’s menacing Count Orlok to Lily-Rose Depp’s emotionally charged Ellen. Their collective efforts transform this reimagining into both a reverent homage to the 1922 classic and a cinematic triumph in its own right, destined to leave a lasting mark on film history.
Perhaps one day, a child flipping through channels will stumble upon this version of Nosferatu and, like I did with the original, to discover their own fascination with vampires, sparking a lifelong love for the genre.